Intent, Implementation and Impact Statement for RE

Intent
Here, at Callington Primary School, the aim of Religious Education is to help children to acquire and develop knowledge and understanding of Christianity and the other principal religions represented in Great Britain and around the world. To appreciate the way that religious beliefs shape lives and behaviours and develop the ability to make reasoned and informed judgements about religious and moral issues. The exposure to a wide range of religions and the progression of learning means that children develop an understanding and awareness of beliefs, values and traditions of other individuals, societies, communities and cultures outside of their own. At Callington Primary School, Religious Education plays an important role, along with all other curriculum areas, in promoting the spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development of our children. R.E. offers our children the means by which to understand how other people choose to live and to understand why they choose to live in that way.

Implementation
We follow the Cornwall Agreed Syllabus 2020-2025 as the basis of our curriculum. However, at Callington Primary School, we implement our Religious Education learning through an enquiry-based approach. Each year group has a different ‘Big Question’ linked to the religion they are studying that half term. Children are introduced to the ‘Big Question’ at the start of the term and are reminded of it at the beginning and end of each lesson allowing time to reflect on previous learning and discuss how their learning allows them opportunities to answer the question. Children then independently answer the ‘Big Question’ either verbally, with pieces of writing or by creating a poster or video to summarise their understanding and application of key vocabulary. These termly summative assessments are used to determine the children’s’ understanding and inform teacher’s planning and further differentiated support for pupils. This data is reviewed on a termly basis by the subject leader who also carries out learning walks, book scrutinies and lesson observations. Additionally, there are pupil conferencing and questionnaire opportunities for children to feed back about what they feel they have learnt well, what they’ve enjoyed learning and areas that could be improved to provide better learning opportunities.

The religions that are covered within Callington Primary School are: Christianity, Hinduism, Judaism and Islam. In accordance to the Cornwall Agreed Syllabus, Christianity is taught in every year for no less than 60% of RE curriculum time. Children in Upper Foundation Stage and KS1 receive 36 hours of RE teaching and learning a year. Children in KS2 receive 45 hours of RE teaching and learning a year. Children explore these religions by looking at and handling artefacts, exploring sacred texts, using drama and imaginative play to re-tell religious, spiritual or moral stories, using ICT, Art or D&T to explore and create. Children also take part in certain religious events throughout the year to build on their learning and knowledge. Upper Foundation Stage and KS1 perform the Nativity Story through a Christmas production, Lower Key Stage 2 perform a Harvest Celebration for pupils, staff and parents and Year 5 perform the Easter story for pupils, staff and parents. There are also regular Open the Book assemblies through-out the school year. There are no presumptions made as to the religious backgrounds, and beliefs and values of the children and the staff. 

We value the religious background of all members of the school community and hope that this will encourage individuals to share their own experiences with others freely.  All religions and their communities are treated with respect and sensitivity and we value the links, which are, and can be made between home, school, and a faith community.

Impact

The impact of our curriculum is measured by the progress children make with their learning and understanding. By the end of year, pupils are expected to know, understand and apply skills related to their attainment targets. Children will make at least good progress from their last point of assessment. Our RE curriculum will mean that children have explored, questioned and gained an understanding of a range of religions ready for their move to Secondary School.

The children at Callington Primary School enjoy learning about other religions and why people choose or choose not to follow a religion. Through their R.E. learning, the children are able to make links between their own lives and those of others in their community and in the wider world. They are developing an understanding of other people’s cultures and ways of life and worship, which they are then able to communicate to the wider community. Children demonstrate a positive attitude and demonstrate respectful behaviour to all, and this is transferable outside of school in the wider community and beyond.

Enrichment